Recreation request back on ballot

August 14, 2002

The rec board had proposed its millage as an increase over the current .125-mill (one-eighth) levy to make modest repairs to the building in Gaylord and to continue operating. Voters opposed the idea with 1,991 voting in favor of it, 2,034 voting against.

The new .1875-mill (three-sixteenths) levy increases the tax burden on a home with a taxable value of $62,500 by $3.91. Community Center Director Mike Tarbutton said the increase is needed to hire a second full-time employee as well as to make repairs.

"The board feels without the extra full-time employee and money for maintenance the building will deteriorate," Tarbutton said after a meeting of the county commissioners Monday morning. "We have to do everything for that building in that (city) block." If the millage does not pass on Nov. 5, the center's doors could close the next day with only $18,000 left to pay for electricity and heating.

Advertisement

"I had 20 people within the last five or six days say, 'Sorry Mike. We didn't vote. We thought it was a lock,'" said Tarbutton.

The Community Center will share the November ballot with a .4-mill renewal for the Otsego Rescue/EMS Service. Although that millage does not expire until 2003, Chief Jon Deming told commissioners Monday morning they would seek the renewal this year to save the $12,000 expense of a special election next year.